[Bangladesh 2024 Campaign] 13. The Rebel Poet Nazrul (কাজী নজরুল ইসলাম)

Ms. Lee, Go-eun, the representative of the new <Monsoon Club>, was a graduate school classmate of Mr. Mustain Billa Zahir. While Mr. Zahir was studying the democratization movement in Korea, Ms. Lee, Go-eun studied the social movement in Bangladesh during their graduate studies in the Department of Sociology at Sungkonghoe University,

 

 

She visited Bangladesh twice for her thesis, and thanks to Mr. Zahir’s introduction. she made many friends in Dhaka. She had a good impression of the Bangladeshi friends she met in Dhaka.

 

“It is true that the overall social situation is backward, similar to 1970s in Korea, but industrialization and democratization are progressing rapidly, and the happiness of the citizens seems to be high. I was surprised to see that young people, especially those with university education, are well cultured and enjoy literature and art closely.”

 

 

I myself had a similar impression when I read the English email from Mr. Zahir. The words were elegant and the sentences were sophisticated. It was hard to believe that it was a business email asking for help. Mr. Zahir was a literature student in in college and wrote a lot of poetry in his youth.

 

When I met him in Seoul, I expressed my appreciation for Tagore's message to the Koreans a century ago. Mr. Zahir didn't know it, but he said that Tagore was definitely a favorite poet of Bangladeshis.

 

 

In addition, Mr. Zahir told us that Bangladesh has another national poet, Kazi Nazrul Islam (1899-1976). While Tagore is widely recognized for his Nobel Prize in Literature, Bangladeshis are more fond of Nazrul’s poeums and songs.

 

Nazrul is called the “Rebel Poet,” because his most famous work is “The Rebel (বিদ্রোহী”, Vidrohi). In fact, he was a favorite poet of Bangladesh's independence fighters in 1971 and by anti-government protesters in 2013 and 2024.

 

 

Tagore is to Manhae Han Yong-un (1897-1944) as Rebel Poet Nazrul is to the resistance poet Lee Yuk-sa (1904-1944). Just as Koreans like “The Silence of my Love” but love “Climax” and “Green Grapes” more, Bangladeshis like “Gitanjali” but love “The Rebel” even more.

 

Shortly after the successful Monsoon Revolution toppled the authoritarian dictatorship, The Daily Star, an English-language newspaper published in Dhaka, ran an article in its August 27, 2024 edition, honoring Kazi Nazrul Islam.

 

https://www.thedailystar.net/entertainment/theatre-arts/news/bangladesh-honours-kazi-nazrul-islams-enduring-legacy-48th-death-anniversary-3687691

Bangladesh honours Kazi Nazrul Islam's enduring legacy on 48th death anniversary

 

The article said, “Kazi Nazrul Islam, the national poet of Bangladesh, is celebrated for his fierce spirit of rebellion and the profound depth of love and humanity in his music.” It added that “August 27 marks the 48th death anniversary of Kazi Nazrul Islam, a day of reflection and tribute across the nation" and that two plays will be performed in his honor on the 48th anniversary of Nazrul’s death.

 

https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/nazruls-48th-death-anniv-today-3687576

Nazrul’s 48th death anniv today

 

Another Razrul article from the same date explained that “Nazrul wrote nearly 3,000 songs and composed many of them which are known as Nazrul-Geeti or Nazrul Sangeet,” and that “The nation got inspirations from Nazrul's poems and songs during the great Liberation War in 1971 and all other democratic movements and struggles.”

 

 

Nazrul is a poet who is respected not only in Bangladesh, but also in India and Pakistan. I was very impressed that the society and culture of Bangladeshi have been spiritually uplifted and guided by poets like Tagore and Razrul. (jc, 11/12/2024)